Over 5,000 get Ranbhoomi title deeds

Opposition mud slinging campaign to cover up political bankruptcy - President:

Chaminda PERERA

Over 5,000 persons who did not own an inch of land received Ranbhoomi title deeds to 20-perch blocks of land at a function at Temple Trees yesterday.

Addressing those present, President Rajapaksa said the Opposition has resorted to a mud slinging campaign to cover up its political bankruptcy in the face of the Government’s victory over terrorism and the massive development drive.

They have become voiceless as their policies are quite different from the Government when they were in power, he said. He said the Opposition has nothing to say than sling mud at leaders of the Government and their relatives.

“These elements are behind the rumour that the Apollo Hospital was purchased by our family members,” he said. President Rajapaksa stressed that Apollo is no longer an entity owned by a private company.

“The Apollo Hospital came under the Government after the Supreme Court declared that the privatisation of Sri Lanka Insurance null and void. It is a Government owned company now,” the President said.

“My Government has completely deviated from their policies in all aspect of the Governance. We did not sell fertile lands to companies and the people who are friendly to the Government,” President Rajapaksa said.

He said the Government has been in the process of distributing State lands to the people who do not possess a single inch of land in their Motherland. “As things stand today, nobody can put a building anywhere in the country for the Opposition would spread rumours that they are being built by members of our family.”

The President said that those who were involved in the selling of State properties are now engaged in mud slinging as they have nothing to say in the face of the Government’s vibrant socio economic policies.

“We did not privatize an inch of State land to strengthen the coffers nor cripple the public service by suspending new recruitments,” he said. He said the Government was able to provide a 50 KG bag of fertilizer at Rs 350 to farmers when its actual price was Rs 9,000.

He said the Government has launched a massive development drive and the people of this nation are the real benefactors of these programs. Land Reform Commission Chairman Harigupta Rohanadeera, Wayamba Governor Tissa R. Balalla, Engineering and Construction Services Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne and Housing Minister Geethanjana Gunawardena were also present.